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Torrance, Ca.

We lost an amazing women early this week. Steve's mom was one special lady! I know he would never post about it so I gave him a call and asked if I could say a few things about her and what she meant to him and the family. For the people that knew his mom, I'm sure you have some great stories! This was a women that just loved pumpkins and I MEAN really loved pumpkins! She's been his helper and enjoyed growing giants as much as Steve does! I's only seen here a few times over the years when they'd come down to California. What a sweet and kind lady that knew more about pumpkin weights then most of us!:) She'd be sitting in her chair with her little notebook writing down each weight as the pumpkins were weighed. I'd even try and ask her, " do you have any idea what Steve's fruit weighs ? " talk about a poker face,,, she had the best in the world! She'd look up at me through her glasses and pen in hand and not say a word!:) You might get a little smile but that was about it.
Steve's words, My Mom was such a big part of myself, our family and loved absolutely everything about pumpkins and the pumpkin community! I'm sure she's already up there preparing a patch for when they meet again!
So sorry for your lose my friend and there's a lot of newer growers and I'm sure some older ones too, that had no idea how much pumpkins met to your mom. She will surely be missed at the next weigh offs.

I know some of the growers up that way have some special stories about Steve's Mom. Lets lift him up during this very trying time.

8/16/2023 11:10:31 PM

San Diego, Ca.

Steve, I am so sorry for your loss. I can tell she really meant the world to you. And how great that she took interest in your passion for growing pumpkins. I'm sure you made her so proud many times over. I also lost my mom several months ago so I can relate to how you feel now. Use her memory as inspiration to keep growing giant pumpkins. You are in my prayers. Vince

8/16/2023 11:26:30 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Steve, very sorry to hear the news about your mom, sincere condolences from the Dixon house. We will be thinking of you, Glenn & Andrea

8/16/2023 11:43:38 PM

Eugene,OR

Chris, what you might not know is that Steve’s mom really did know the weights of his pumpkins before every contest— but she didn’t tell him! If it wasn’t for her, his biggest pumpkin (the 2469) probably would never have been weighed because there were a couple others that were bigger than it still in the patch….but she insisted that he take the “little” one to be weighed. Steve, I’m sorry for your loss, I know how much she meant to you. She was a great mom, but you were a pretty good son too.

8/16/2023 11:45:51 PM

Massillon, Ohio

Sorry to hear this sad news. She must have been a wonderful woman to have raised such a wonderful son. May God bless you during this difficult time. Glenna

8/17/2023 9:20:24 AM

Syracuse, NY

This brought it all back about my own.
Steve, you've grown a very many of each year's Great Pumpkins and she will always be keeping track of them for you.
The Champion within you will guide you through these toughest of times.
Talk to her every day, as she is right there, always.
To all: Fantastic post and warmest of replies. eg

8/17/2023 9:54:58 AM

Torrance, Ca.

That is true Russ.:) That was one her her jobs each year and she absolutely loved it!
I was lucky enough to be up there that year and see that rock! There were 2 others much bigger by measurement but we knew that thing would be a ROCK!

These are the stories I'm sure he'd like to hear during this tough time. It's a bummer a lot of the guys don't visit bp like they use too.

I suppose Susie will now be doing this in her honor. I'll now have to see how well her poker face is!:)

Hang in there Susie, Steve ALWAYS talks so highly about you and this isn't something you see in married couples as long as you guys. I love when I hear a man talk so highly about their wife! He said he doesn't know how he'd get through this without you.

Good Stuff Vineman, let's hear some more great memories of mom!

8/17/2023 9:58:42 AM

Mission Viejo, CA

Your mom was an amazing woman Steve; we were fortunate to meet her at the HMB weighoff a few years back. Treasure those great memories and I know you will think of her while on your tractor or just working in the patch. Carol and I are praying for your comfort.

8/17/2023 2:43:01 PM

Bottom of ohio

Thoughts and prayers

8/17/2023 8:58:53 PM

Mi.

So sorry for your loss Steve

8/18/2023 12:57:07 AM

Grittyville, WA

Best wishes to you & all your PGVG friends, Steve.

8/18/2023 2:19:56 AM

Tenino, WA.

So sorry to hear of your mom's passing. She was a very special lady who loved spending time with you in the pumpkin patch. All that knew her will truly miss her.

8/18/2023 2:20:56 AM

Sharon, MA

Very sorry to here about your family's loss Steve.

8/18/2023 4:13:49 AM

Cheshire Ma USA

Sorry for your loss Steve, may she RIP

8/18/2023 9:13:12 AM

Deer Park WA

Sorry for your loss Steve

8/18/2023 2:50:42 PM

Rhode Island

all i know is steve's mom must have been a hell of a woman because she raised one hell of a great son. god bless her on her journey to heaven.

8/19/2023 6:14:00 PM

sorry for your loss steve

8/19/2023 9:16:20 PM

First off, I’d like to thank Chris for asking if he could say a few words and share a memory or two in honor of my mother. Thank you, Chris. You’re the kind of friend everyone should have.
You think you’re alone in this journey until you start receiving text messages, emails and phone calls all wishing well, and in many cases, sharing not only memories they had of my mother, but leaning on each other as they recall losses in their past. If you grow pumpkins you’re not alone. So, thank you all who reached out. It meant the world.
Mom loved everything about this hobby. The planning, the prep work, seed starting, planting, pollinating, growing, measuring, harvest day, and her favorite, weigh off day. She participated in it all. But even more so, she loved the people or as I like to say, “the pumpkin community “. My local club, the PGVG always treated her as one of their own, and I’m forever grateful. She loved to travel south with us to a very special place in her heart, the Halfmoon Bay weighoff in California. The growers and event organizers always treated her like she was part of their own family, greeted with a hug and a “welcome home”. Many Just knowing her as “mom”. I’ll never forget the way you all embraced her. Thank you!
Hug those close to you every chance you get. I rest in peace knowing mom has already got a beautiful place all picked out to grow pumpkins when we meet again.
Steve Daletas

8/20/2023 4:23:25 PM

Nova Scotia

Very sorry to hear this news. Great people and growers for many, many years. So wonderful and warming how growing giant pumpkins has created so many friendships and connections over the years. Take care and all the best to you Steve and family. Danny and family

8/22/2023 5:18:53 PM

Whidbey Island

My sympathy, Steve.

8/26/2023 5:32:29 PM